The sun hadn't risen yet, the clock marked a highly indecent hour in fact, it seemed a crime to break the peace of her sleep at this hour, but it was a necessary misdoing. Exited although ashamed, Benny held onto his left arm to admire in silence her face before calling her to life. His body loosened the tension and his lips brought the warmest smile. She changed his life. His days were brighter and happier now. With her, he found a purpose to existence. What was life before loving like this? Love made its greatest appearance the night he met her in that lonely backyard. That coincidence— so remote yet so exact, brought them at this space in time. A typical early morning in their house, sleeping together like the last four months, feeling each other next to them, mixing their breaths, colliding their legs, resting in the calmness of their presence. Love was good. Loving Frida was the his greatest pleasure.
The previous night, like most of the nights, he watched her sleep. He'd count her freckles in his obsession to memorize her better, those tiny dark dots on her nose and cheeks now and not due to the almost non-existent sun during this autumn days, but due to the pregnancy changes, as the obstetrician pointed. She used to complain, but he? He adored every trace of her skin. However, right at this moment, she looked more perfect than ever.
Benny observed her well, letting out a long sigh. His fingers, coy and trembling, caressed her hair. He'd considered a couple of modes to wake her up this day, preferably at a decent hour, but he couldn't contain himself anymore. Her birthday. Days, weeks, months spent together and he had just been told a couple days ago when her birthday was. What a big shame on him. The city was small and dull at the moment to search for the perfect gift. No store, no place had nothing as worthy as her to give her. She deserved the world, and Benny wanted to give her so. Her pure soul would be happy with whatever he gave her, he knew, yet he wanted to surprise her, to make her feel special. His gifts awaited in the living room, those would wait until the morning. For now, with the clock marking three in the morning and the moon observing him severely for the great atrocity about to be committed, Benny's biggest wish was to melt in her in the biggest hug ever given.
All resistance and doubt was thrown away. Slowly, Benny got closer under the sheets. He shivered as his body found hers resting warmly and at ease. Maybe it was ridiculous to feel this exited for showing her his appreciation this day, maybe he was overreacting but who could blame him? It was his first time truly in love. So his caress descended to her face, following the perimeter of her bone structure which was perfect and divine as all of her.
Surely she felt him, because she sighed long and softly. Benny smiled when she snuggled closer against him, her belly and his abdomen running into halfway. "Frida, love."
His gentle attempt of a whisper didn't work as expected. Benny brushed his thumb against her cheek to stimulate and bring her out of dreamland. "Babe." Nothing. Benny got closer and kissed her check and ear before whispering. "Love..."
"Hmm..."
A small groan at least. "Hey..." He knew he's succeeded when her hand found the roughness of his chest. Benny smiled against her ear before placing another kiss and move back to be face to face. "Hey babe."
"What's up?" Her voice, husky and heavy, was barely a sound.
Benny smiled wider. How beautiful she was like this; half sleep, makeup free, cozy and warm next to him. "Happy birthday, my life." Those eyelids that covered his potentially favorite eyes in the world fluttered and slowly opened to show her sleepy gaze. His day was already great and it was barely three in the morning.
"Hmm?" Frida blinked a couple of times and sightly raised her face to see him better. She felt slow and confused. "Is it now?"
"Yes." Their gazes met and there he knew for certain he wanted to spend each of her birthdays like this. Benny lowered her head to reach her lips but she interrupted.
